The Benefits of Mastermind Retreats

Do you spend most of your time working in your business and not on it? Can you even remember the last time you took a few hours (let alone a whole weekend) to really focus on the big picture? Are you constantly wondering if you are doing the right things, but don’t really know who to ask?

You’re not alone. So many solopreneurs and small business owners feel busy, overwhelmed, alone, and confused.

That’s why I love business mastermind retreats.

What are mastermind retreats?

Here’s my take: A business retreat is an intimate event with only a few attendees. Very often, there’s a focus on relaxation, deep thinking, and connection.

(This is unlike a traditional business conference, which is a large event with keynote and breakout speakers, panel discussions, vendors, and more—usually for hundreds or tens of thousands of attendees.)

Mastermind retreats are even better, I think, because they take the best parts of a typical business retreat and add in all the great things about mastermind groups.

5 benefits of mastermind retreats

1. They are small, allowing for a personalized experience (unlike a large conference where speakers must offer up generic business advice for a roomful of people). You get to dive into your business and your challenges and get advice specific to your needs

2. They allow for deep connection and community. Spending days together with a group of other business owners means you really get to know (and love) each other. You’ll create relationships that last long after the event ends.

3. Thanks to the custom nature of retreats, you have the rare opportunity to get actionable and specific advice from other smart business owners. It’s easy to get caught up in your own head as a solopreneur, so these outside perspectives are incredibly valuable.

4. Most of us never (or very rarely) find quiet time for big-picture thinking, but being strategic (vs. reactionary) is what sets the highest-achieving CEOs apart. It’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity to running a successful, sustainable business.

5. Burning the candle at both ends (like so many of us business owners tend to do) is a surefire way to burnout. Retreats force you to take time away, have some fun, do some deep breathing, and recharge your batteries.

All of these benefits come at a cost, of course. Retreats can be many thousand dollars. But it’s an investment in your business and in yourself—one that most of us don’t make nearly often enough.

Note: If you’re already in a mastermind or consider joining an existing one, read about the 5 signs of a bad mastermind to make sure it’s a great fit. And if you’re wanting to start your own peer-led mastermind, here are my best tips.